The Lunar Calendar and The Time of Breaking The Fast

THE LUNAR CALENDAR
AND
THE TIME OF
BREAKING THE FAST
Revised edition 1437 AH: 2016 AC
Contents
Calendar and months in the Quran and hadiths................. 5

Year in the Quran................................................................ 7
THE WORD YEAR .................................................................. 7
The word Years ................................................................. 8
The word year in the hadiths............................................ 12
Months in the Quran........................................................... 13
Number of months in hadiths.............................................. 14
Other months in the Quran ................................................ 14
Ramadan .............................................................................. 15
Hajj ....................................................................................... 15
Divorce and separation........................................................ 16
Iddah (moratorium for a woman in case of death of her
husband or if she is divorced) .............................................. 16
Sacred months ..................................................................... 17
Sulaiman and the month...................................................... 18
The name of months in the Quran...................................... 18
Haram and not Muharram................................................... 18
Sacred months in hadith ...................................................... 18
Names of other months in hadiths ...................................... 19
Muharram ............................................................................ 20
Safar ..................................................................................... 20
Jumada ................................................................................. 21
Rajab .................................................................................... 22
Shaban................................................................................. 23
Ramadan .............................................................................. 24
Shawwal ............................................................................... 25
Dhul-Qadah ......................................................................... 27
Dhul-Hijjah ........................................................................... 28
The creation of the sun and the moon (Gregorian v/s
islamic calendar)............................................................... 29
He created the sun............................................................... 29
3
He created the crescent and the moon ............................... 30

The sun and the moon in hadiths ........................................ 30
The starting of the islamic calendar (with hijrah or
before) ................................................................................. 31
Summary .............................................................................. 34
The sighting of the moon (which month)? .......................... 34
Crescent of Muharram......................................................... 35
Crescent of Ramadan........................................................... 35
Crescent of Shawwal............................................................ 37
Crescent of Dhul-Hijjah ........................................................ 38
When does the islamic day start (maghrib or
midnight)?............................................................................ 39
When does fast start?.......................................................... 40
When does fast end? ........................................................... 41
Summary .............................................................................. 45
Now we will see the hadiths that say it is sunset time........ 46
Sunni v/s Shiah.................................................................... 55
Conclusions .......................................................................... 58
Appendix Night in the Quran ........................................... 59
Fast of Ramadan 1437 ......................................................... 72
Calendar and months in

the Quran and hadiths
Praise be to Allah Lord of the Worlds

Surely the good end is for the pious
Let there be no transgression except against polytheists
Since a very long time, we have been adopting the islamic

calendar or more precisely the lunar calendar based on the
visibility of the moon. The calendar usually starts by the
month of Muharram and terminates by the month of Dhulhijjah. It is unanimously agreed by the Muslims worldwide,
that the month starts with the visibility of the crescent after
the sun has set. Similarly, it is accepted that the day also
changes at that time. But the perceptions that whether the
day changes at this time are debatable and the scholars differ
greatly.
Let us assume that today is Sunday and we have reached the
end of the month of Ramadan and at sunset the crescent is
visible. On one hand, does the month change to Shawwal at
this time? And does it mean that at this same time, the day
changes to Monday?
Concerning the Gregorian calendar, we know that the year
starts with January and ends with December and the day
changes at midnight.
In this booklet, we are trying to explain these issues in the

light of the Quran and the hadiths so as to reach to a
conclusion as to when the lunar and Gregorian calendars
start and end and also find out about the starting and ending
of the day in both calendars. Kindly read it with an open
critical mind. Dont say that this is a Shiah booklet because it
5
treats the issue of breaking the fast in a bit different way.

There is nothing Shiah in it. It is simply an effort to reveal
what has been hidden for long.
While treating these issues, we have raised several questions
which you, as a Muslim, must consider and look for answers
in order to know where you stand. It is up to you to decide
between the laws of the only one Quran and the many
narrations in the voluminous hadiths. Eminent contradictions
will unfortunately not help you choosing both.
We pray Allah to bring good to this community and enlighten
the people. We also pray that Muslims of today make a move
in order to progress instead of saying: We have seen our
forefathers doing so and we are doing the same
The Authors
Year in the Quran:
In the verse 36 of Sourah 9, we note that Allah did not

mention the word year (12 months) but in other verses
mentions of the word year are made but without making
any reference to the months. The terms used for year are:
(singular and dual),
(singular and plural) and
THE WORD YEAR:
(singular and dual),
And those who are taken in

death among you and leave
wives behind for their
wives is a bequest: maintenance for one year without
turning [them] out. 1
O you who have believed,
indeed the polytheists are
unclean, so let them not
approach
al-Masjid
alHaram after this, their year.2
They make it lawful one year
and unlawful another year to
correspond to the number
made unlawful by Allah. 3
1.
2.
3.
Sourah 2, al-Baqarah, verse 240.

Sourah 9, at-Tawbah, verse 28.
Ibid, verse 37.
Do they not see that they are

tried every year once or
twice but then they do not
repent nor do they remember? 4
Then will come after that a

year in which the people will
be given rain and in which
they will press [olives and
grapes].5
The word Years:
One of them wishes that he

could be granted life a
thousand years. 6
Mothers may breastfeed

their children two complete
years for whoever wishes to
complete
the
nursing
7
period.
So Allah caused him to die
for a hundred years; then He
revived him. 8
He said: Rather, you have
remained
one
hundred
years. 9
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Ibid, verse 126.

Sourah 12, Yusuf, verse 49.
Ibid, verse 233.
Ibid, verse 259.
[Allah] said: Then indeed, it is

forbidden to them for forty
years [in which] they will
wander throughout the
land.10
And We certainly seized the
people of Pharaoh with years
of famine and a deficiency in
fruits that perhaps they
would be reminded. 11
It is He who made the sun a

shining light and the moon a
derived light and determined
for it phases that you may
know the number of years
and account [of time]. 12
But Satan made him forget
the mention [to] his master,
and Yusuf remained in prison
several years. 13
He [Yusuf] said: You will
plant for seven years
consecutively. 14
And We have made the night
and day two signs, and We
erased the sign of the night
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Ibid.
Sourah 5, al-Maidah, verse 26.
Sourah 7, al-Araf, verse 130.
Sourah 10, Yunus, verse 5.
Sourah 12, Yusuf, verse 42.
and made the sign of the day

visible that you may seek
bounty from your Lord and
may know the number of
years and the account [of
time]. 15
So We cast over their ears
within the cave for a number
of years. 16
And they remained in their
cave for three hundred years
and exceeded by nine. 17
And you remained [some]
years among the people of
Madyan. 18
And indeed, a day with your
Lord is like a thousand years
of those which you count. 19
He [Allah] will say: How long

did you remain on earth in
number of years? 20
He [Pharaoh] said: Did we
not raise you among us as a
child, and you remained
among us for years of your
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
Sourah 17, al-Isra, verse 12.

Sourah 18, Mariam, verse 11.
Ibid., verse 25.
Sourah 20, Ta Ha, verse 40.
Sourah 22, al-Hajj, verse 47.
Sourah 23, al-Muminune, verse 112.
10
life? 21
Then have you considered if
We gave them enjoyment for
years. 22
He said: Indeed, I wish to
wed you one of these, my
two daughters, on [the
condition] that you serve me
for eight years; but if you
complete ten, it will be [as a
favor] from you. 23
And We certainly sent Nuh to

his people, and he remained
among them a thousand
years minus fifty years, and
the flood seized them while
they were wrongdoers. 24
Within three to nine years. 25
His mother carried him, in

weakness upon weakness,
and his weaning is in two
years. 26
He arranges matter from the
heaven to the earth; then it
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
Sourah 26, ash-Shuara, verse 18.

Ibid., verse 205.
Sourah 28, al-Qasass, verse 27.
Sourah 29, al-Ankabut, verse 14.
Sourah 30, ar-Rum, verse 4.
Sourah 31, Luqman, verse 14.
11
will ascend to Him in a Day,

the extent of which is a
thousand years of those
which you count. 27
[He grows] until, when he
reaches
maturity
and
reaches [the age of] forty
years. 28
The angels and the Spirit will
ascend to Him during a Day
the extent of which is fifty
thousand years. 29
The word year in the hadiths:
In Sahih al-Bukhari only, we find 470+ occurrences of the

words year, years, yearly and years. If we try to mention all
of them, the treaty will become tedious, time consuming and
bulky. You will also get bored reading all these hadiths. This is
why we are omitting them. If you want to have more details,
kindly consult the books of hadiths or a concordance if
available.
27. Sourah 32, as-Sajdah, verse 5.

28. Sourah 46, al-Ahqaf, verse 15.
29. Sourah 70, al-Maarij, verse 4.
12
Months in the Quran:

Indeed, the number of
months with Allah is twelve
months in the register of
Allah [from] the day He
created the heavens and the
earth; of these, four are
sacred. That is the correct
religion, so do not wrong
yourselves during them. And
fight against the disbelievers
collectively as they fight
against you collectively. And
know that Allah is with the
righteous [who fear Him]. 30
We know and agree that in a year, there are 12 months. We

also agree on the first day He created the heavens and the
earth He decided that a year is made of twelve months. This
happens well before the creation of man (Adam). But He did
not mention all the names of the months of the year. Also, he
did not mention whether the twelve months are based on
the moon or on the sun. He mentioned 4 months as sacred
without revealing their names despite the fact that He
disclosed some of them in other verses as we will see. In
hadiths, almost similar wordings are being used. But the
hadiths disclose the names of the months and their
sequences. Here is one of the hadiths:
30. Sourah 9, at-Tawbah, verse 36.
13
Number of months in hadiths:

Narrated Abu Bakrah: The
Prophet said: The division of
time has turned to its
original form which was
current when Allah created
the Heavens and the Earths.
The year is of twelve
months, out of which four
months are sacred: Three
are in succession DhulQadah, Dhul-Hijjah and
Muharram, and (the fourth
is) Rajab of (the tribe of)
Mudar
which
comes
between
Jumada
and
Shaban. 31
So the four months are: Dhul-Qadah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram

and Rajab. We note also that Jumada is being quoted but
without mentioning whether it is first or second Jumada.
Logically, it is the second Jumada because Rajab is found as
is today between itself and Shaban. Apart from the 4
sacred months, other months are also mentioned in hadiths
as we will see later.
Other months in the Quran:
Besides the four sacred months as mentioned, the Quran

reveals other months such as:
31. Sahih al-Bukhari: Vol. 4, Book 54, hadith 419.
14
Ramadan:
The month of Ramadan in

which was revealed the
Quran, a guidance for
mankind and clear proofs for
the guidance and the
criterion (between right and
wrong). 32
Hajj:
Hajj is [during] well-known

months, so whoever has
made hajj obligatory upon
himself therein, there is no
sexual relations and no
disobedience
and
no
disputing during hajj.33
O you who have believed, do
not violate the rites of Allah
or the sacred month. 34
32. Sourah 2, al-Baqarah, verse 185.

33. Ibid, verse 197.
34. Sourah 5, al-Maidah, verse 2.
15
Divorce and separation:

And he who does not find [a
slave] - then a fast for two
months consecutively before
they touch one another. 35
This verse concerns the case of someone who makes her wife
unlawful for him by considering her as her mother. It is
expiation for this act if ever he regrets for what he said. See
verse 3 of Sourah 58, al-Mujadala, for details.
Iddah (moratorium for a woman in case of

death of her husband or if she is divorced):
And those who are taken in
death among you and leave
wives behind - they wait four
months and ten [days]. 36
And those of your women as

have passed the age of
monthly courses, for them
the prescribed period, if you
have doubt, is three months;
and for those who have no
courses their prescribed
period is three months
likewise, except in case of
death. 37
35. Sourah 58, al-Mujadalah, verse 4.
37. Sourah 65, at-Talaq, verse 4.
16
Sacred months:
The sacred month is known as haram in the Quran

whereas in hadiths it is also known as muharram. The word
haram means: prohibited, banned; forbidden; interdicted;
ill-gotten; illegal; unlawful; rejected; not allowed; not
permissible; holy; sacred; inviolable. Here are the verses of
the Quran mentioning haram meaning sacred:
[Fighting in] the sacred
month is for the sacred
month, and for violations is
legal retribution. 38
They ask you about the
sacred month - about
fighting
therein.
Say,
Fighting therein is great
[sin].39
O you who have believed, do
not violate the rites of Allah
or the sacred month. 40
Allah has made the Kabah,

the Sacred House, standing
for the people and the
sacred months and the
sacrificial animals and the
garlands [by which they are
40. Sourah 5, al-Maidah, verse 2.
17
identified]. 41
And when the sacred months
have passed, then kill the
polytheists wherever you find
them. 42
Sulaiman and the month:

And to Sulaiman [We
subjected] the wind - its
morning [journey was that
of] a month. 43
The name of months in the Quran:

Haram and not Muharram:
We have seen that the word haram is used for sacred

months as mentioned in the verses quoted above. It is to be
noted that in hadiths, it is called muharram instead of
haram.
Sacred months in hadith:
The term sacred months is mentioned in the seven books

of hadith several times and we prefer not to mention all of
them so as not to render this treaty bulky. We will quote only
the hadith mentioning 12 months:
41. Ibid, verse 97.

42. Sourah 9, at-Tawbah, verse 5.
43. Sourah 34, Sabaa, verse 12.
18

Prophet said: The division of
time has turned to its
original form which was
current when Allah created
the Heavens and the Earths.
The year is of twelve
months, out of which four
months are sacred: Three
are in succession DhulQadah, Dhul-Hijjah and
Muharram, and (the fourth
is) Rajab of (the tribe of)
Mudar
which
comes
between
Jumada
and
Shaban. 44
Names of other months in hadiths:
In hadiths, we find the following: Muharram, Safar, Jumada,

Rajab, Shaban, Ramadan, Shawwal, Dhul Qadah and Dhul
Hijjah. Please note that Rabiul-Awwal, Rabiuuth-Thani and
Jumadal-Ula are not mentioned. Please also note that
Rabiul-Awwal is supposed to be the month of birth and
death of the Prophet.
19
Muharram:
Abu Huraira reported Allahs

Messenger as saying: The
most excellent fast after
Ramadan is Allahs month,
al-Muharram, and the most
excellent prayer after what
is prescribed is prayer
during the night. 45
Ashura is also mentioned as it is in the sacred month. Several

hadiths have been reported concerning Ashura and its
merits.
Safar:
Ibn Abbas reported that

they (the Arabs of preIslamic days) looked upon
Umrah during the months of
Hajj as the greatest of sins
on the earth. So they
intercalated the month of
Muharram for Safar and
said: When the backs of their
camels would become all
right and traces would be
effaced (from the paths) and
45. Sahih Muslim: Book 6, hadith 2611.
20
the month of Safar would be

over, then Umrah would be
permissible for one who
wants to perform it. When
Allahs Apostle and his
companions came in the
state
of
Ihram
for
performing Hajj on the
fourth he commanded them
to change their state of
Ihram to that of Umrah. It
was something inconceivable
for them. So they said:
Messenger of Allah, is it a
complete freedom (of the
obligation)
of
Ihram?
Thereupon he said: It is a
complete freedom (from
Ihram). 46
Jumada:
See hadith on 12 months (only one or two?)
46. Ibid, Book 7, hadith 2858.
21
Rajab:
Narrated Mujahid: Urwah

bin az-Zubair and I entered
the mosque and saw
Abdullah bin Umar sitting
near the dwelling place of
AishaThe Prophet performed four Umrah and one of
them was in Rajab. 47
Ata reported that Urwa b.

Zubair had informed him: I
said: He is saying that Allahs
Apostle performed Umrah
during the month of Rajab. 48
...


22
Shaban:
Narrated Abu Huraira: The

Prophet or Abul-Qasim said:
Start fasting on seeing the
crescent, and give up fasting
on seeing the crescent, and
if the sky is overcast,
complete thirty days of
Shaban. 49
Abu Salamah reported: I
asked Aisha about the
fasting of the Messenger of
Allah. She said: He used to
observe fast that we said: He
has fasted and he did not
observe fast till we said: He
has given up perhaps never
to fast, and I never saw him
observing more in any other
month than that of Shaban.
He observed fast throughout
the whole of Shaban except
a few (days). 50
-

-


23
Ramadan:
Narrated Abu Huraira: I

heard Allahs Messenger
saying regarding Ramadan:
Whoever prayed at night in
it out of sincere faith and
hoping for a reward from
Allah, then all his previous
sins will be forgiven. 51
Narrated Aisha: Allahs

Messenger used to practice
Itikaf in the last ten nights of
Ramadan and used to say:
Look for the Night of Qadr in
the last ten nights of the
month of Ramadan. 52
51 Sahih al-Bukhari: Vol. 3, Book 32, hadith 226.

52. Ibid, hadith 237.
24
Shawwal:
Narrated Aisha: The Prophet

intended to practice Itikaf
and when he reached the
place where he intended to
perform it, he saw some
tents, the tents of Aisha,
Hafsah and Zainab. So, he
said: Do you consider that
they intended to do
righteousness by doing this?
And then he went away and
did not perform Itikaf but
performed it in the month of
Shawwal for ten days. 53
Abu
Ayyub
al-Ansari
reported Allahs Messenger
as saying: He who observed
the fast of Ramadan and
then followed it with six of
Shawwal, it would be as if
he fasted perpetually. 54

25
Aisha reported: Allahs

Messenger
contracted
marriage with me in
Shawwal and took me to his
house as a bride during
Shawwal. And who among
the
wives
of
Allahs
Messenger was dearer to
him than I, and Aisha liked
that the women should
enter the houses as brides
during the month of
Shawwal. 55
26
Dhul-Qadah:
See also hadith on 12 months.

Narrated
Anas:
Allahs
Messenger performed four
Umrahs, all in the month of
Dhul-Qadah, except the one
which he performed with his
Hajj. He performed one
Umrah from al-Hudaibiya in
DhulQadah,
another
Umrah in the following year
in Dhul-Qadah, a third from
al-Jirana
where
he
distributed the war booty of
Hunain, in Dhul-Qadah and
the fourth Umrah he
performed was with his
Hajj.56
Narrated
Al-Bara:
The
Prophet assumed Ihram for
Umrah in the month of
Dhul-Qadah but the people
of Mecca refused to admit
him into Mecca till he agreed
on the condition that he
would not bring into Mecca
any arms but sheathed. 57

57. Ibid, Vol. 3, Book 29, hadith 70.
27
Dhul-Hijjah:
See also hadith on 12 months.

Prophet said: The two
months of Id i.e. Ramadan
and Dhul-Hijjah, do not
decrease (in superiority). 58
Aisha said: We set out with

the Messenger of Allah just
at the appearance of the
crescent of Dhul- Hijjah. We
had no other intention but
that of performing the Hajj,
whereupon the Messenger
of Allah said: He who among
you intends to put on ihram
for Umrah should do so for
Umrah. 59

28
The creation of the sun and the moon

(Gregorian v/s islamic calendar)
We know that the Gregorian calendar is based on the sun

while the islamic calendar is based on the moon. So, has
the Sun been created for the Gregorian calendar and the
moon for the islamic calendar? However, both have been
created and subjected to service mankind.
He created the sun:
[He is] the cleaver of

daybreak and has made the
night for rest and the sun
and moon for calculation. 60
And He subjected for you the
sun
and
the
moon,
continuous [in orbit], and
subjected for you the night
and the day. 61
And He has subjected for you

the night and day and the
sun and moon, and the stars
are subjected by His
command. 62
Then We made the sun for it
an indication. 63
60.
61.
62.
63.
Sourah 6, al-Anam, verse 96.

Sourah 14, Ibrahim, verse 33.
Sourah 16, an-Nahl, verse 12.
Sourah 25, al-Furqan, verse 45.
29
If you asked them, Who

created the heavens and
earth and subjected the sun
and the moon? They would
surely say: Allah. 64
And has subjected the sun
and the moon, each running
[its course] for a specified
term. 65
He created the crescent and the moon:

They ask you about the new
moons. Say: They are
measurements of time for
the people and for hajj. 66
And the moon - We have
determined for it phases,
until it returns [appearing]
like the old date stalk. 67
The sun and the moon in hadiths:
In Sahih al-Bukhari only, the word sun appears 245+ times

and the words sun-rise and sun-shine appear 1 time. The
word moon is mentioned 102 times and moonlight and
moonlit 1 time. You may refer to the book of Sahih alBukhari for details or you may consult a concordance of
hadiths.
64.
65.
66.
67.
Sourah 29, al-Ankabut, verse 61.

Sourah 31, Luqman, verse 29.
Sourah 36, Ya Sin, verse 39.
30
The starting of the islamic calendar (with

hijrah or before)
After in-depth research, we have found out that the islamic

calendar or lunar calendar poses a great problem. Several
questions come to mind:
Bearing in mind that Gregorian calendar starts with the
month of January and ends with December, then when does
the islamic calendar start? Does it start with the hijrah of
the Prophet? Given that in the Islamic calendar, a month
begins with the visibility of the crescent, so, was the crescent
visible at the moment the Prophet migrated to Medina to
start the first day of the month (Muharram)? Else, why do we
attribute the hijrah to the calendar? What relation is there
between the calendar and the hijrah? By believing that the
Prophet was born on 12 Rabiul Awwal, are we not attesting
that the calendar existed well before hijrah even before the
birth of the Prophet?
To remind you that Allah decided about the 12 months since
the day He created the heavens and the earth, well before
creating Adam? Which calendar was that by then? Or does
the islamic calendar originate from the hijrah of the
Prophet from Mecca to Medina?
So, the argument that the calendar has been created since
the migration of the prophet from Mecca to Medina is not
sustainable! Thus, is there any indication as to when the
islamic calendar starts?
After some research work, we have come across a few
articles which attributed the islamic calendar to the hijrah
of the Prophet:
31
The Islamic calendar was first introduced by the close

companion of the Prophet, Umar ibn Al-Khattab. During his
leadership of the Muslim community, in approximately 638 A.D.,
he consulted with his advisors in order to come to a decision
regarding the various dating systems used at that time. It was
agreed that the most appropriate reference point for the Islamic
calendar was the Hijrah, since it was an important turning point
for the Muslim community. After the emigration to Madinah
(formerly known as Yathrib), the Muslims were able to organize
and establish the first real Muslim "community," with social,
political, and economic independence.
Extract from: http://islam.about.com/cs/calendar/a/hijrah_calendar.htm
It is interesting to inquire on this above short passage:
First, who decided the introduction of the so-called Islamic

calendar?
Second, when was it done? It seems from the above that it

took place after the death of the prophet. Then who
approved that initiative?
It is said in this passage: It was agreed . But by whom?
since it was an important turning point for the Muslim

community. How did this event become an important
turning point? Who declared the happening as important?
How many years after the death of the Prophet did that
happen? Logically, they should have been working backwards
to set Muharram as the first month marking the beginning of
the Islamic year. Then how did they know about which
months have had 30 days and which months have had 29
days?
32
Here also we read:
The Hijrah calendar which is purely lunar has twelve

months. The beginning and ending of the lunar months are
based on the sighting of the moon .The years in the Muslim
calendar are counted with the beginning of the Hijrah in
July 622 A.D. The Hijra is like an historical event in Islam
and became ideal for Muslims to date their calendar at
hijrah. Caliph Umar considered the Hijrah an important
landmark to base the calendar on as the people of Arabia
could readily identify with the Great Migration to Medina
than any other historic landmark. The Hijrah calendar is
officially used in Saudi Arabia and many Muslim countries.
Some Muslim countries use the Hijrah calendar for religious
references while using the Gregorian calendar for official
purposes.
Extract from: http://www.innovateus.net/innopedia/what-hijrah-calender
From this extract, it is important to note and wonder:
Why are we attaching so much importance to hijrah with

regards to the calendar?
Why hijrah is a so much important historic landmark?
Why caliph Umar pays particular attention to hijrah as a

starting point for the calendar?
Was Umar not aware of the quranic verse talking about the
12 months at the creation of heavens and earth?
Why the migration of the Prophet has so much more
importance over Allahs ordainment of twelve months with
the creation of heavens and earth?
Who deserves utmost recognition and praise: the creation of
Allah or the migration of the Prophet?
33
Summary:
The calendar already existed since Allah created the

heavens and the earth and that was before the
creation of man. Allah mentions the sacred months
and the month of Ramadan, meaning that they
already existed before the hijrah.
The classification of the months is not known. That is,
Muharram comes first and Dhul-Hijjah comes last.
We have no idea about the classification.
The calendar is supposed to start from the hijrah of
the Prophet from Mecca to Medina. We say that the
year started as 1st with the migration. But what about
the months? Do we start Muharram as from the
hijrah of the Prophet? For those who believe in such
amphigory, then the quranic calendar is not relevant.
On the occasion of hijrah, was there any crescent
visible to start the 1st of the month? Which month?
Muharram?
The sighting of the moon (which month)?
The crescent, which is a sign indicating the change of the

month according to the islamic calendar, is mentioned in
the following hadiths:
34
Crescent of Muharram:
Al-Hakam bin al-Araj said: I
met up with Ibn Abbas while
he was reclining on his Rida
at the Zamzam (well). So I
said: Inform me about the
day of Ashura. On which day
is it fasted? He said: When
you see the crescent of alMuharram, then count 68
Crescent of Ramadan:
Kuraib narrated that Umme
al-Fadl
sent
him
to
Muawiyah in ash-Sham.
Then the new crescent of
Ramadan was sighted while I
was in Ash-Sham. 69
Ibn
Abbas
narrated:

-

-

-
-

68. Jami at-Tirmithi: Vol. 2, Book 3, hadith 754.

69. Sunan an-Nasai: Vol. 3, Book 22, hadith 2113.
35
Bedouin came to the

Prophet and said: I have
seen the crescent. So he
said: Do you testify that
none has the right to be
worshipped but Allah? Do
you testify that Muhammad
is the Messenger of Allah?
He said: Yes. So he said: O
Bilal! Announce to the
people that they should fast
tomorrow. 70
crescent and give up fasting
on seeing the crescent and if
the sky is overcast (and you
cannot see it), complete
thirty days of Shaban. 71
Messenger
as
saying:
Observe fast on sighting it
and break (fast) on sighting
it, but if the sky is cloudy for
you, then complete the

.
.


36
number. 72
Ibn Umar reported that

Allahs Messenger made a
mention of Ramadan and he,
with the gesture of his hand,
said: The month is thus and
thus. (He then withdrew his
thumb at the third time). He
then said: Fast when you see
it, and break your fast when
you see it, and if the
weather is cloudy calculate
it as thirty days. 73
Crescent of Shawwal:
It was narrated that Umayr
bin Anas bin Malik said: My
paternal uncles among the
Ansar who were among the
companions
of
the
Messenger of Allah told me:
The new crescent of
Shawwal was covered with
clouds, so we fasted the next
day. Then some riders came

37
at the end of the day and

testified to the Prophet that
they had seen the new
crescent the night before.
The Messenger of Allah
commanded them to break
their fast and to go out to
offer the Eid prayer the
following morning. 74
Crescent of Dhul-Hijjah:
It was narrated that Aisha
said: We went out with the
Messenger of Allah on the
Farewell Pilgrimage, close to
the time of the crescent of
Dhul-Hijjah. 75
Narrated Said al-Maqburi:

Ubay bin Juraij said to
Abdullah Bin Umar: And I
see that when you are in
Mecca, the people assume
the state of Ihram on seeing
the crescent while you do
not assume the state of
Ihram till the Day of
74. Sunan Ibn Majah: Book 7, hadith 1722.

38
Tarwiya.76
Narrated Aisha: We set out

along with Allahs Messenger
shortly
before
the
appearance of the new
moon (crescent) of the
month of Dhul-Hijjah. 77
Narrated Umme Salamah:
That the Prophet said:
Whoever sees the crescent
of Dhul-Hijjah and wants to
slaughter a sacrifice, he
should not take from his
hair nor from his nails. 78
When does the islamic day start

(maghrib or midnight)?
According to the Gregorian calendar, the day changes at

midnight and eventually when we reach the 30th or the 31st
(except for the month of February 28th or 29th) day the
month changes.
76. Sahih al-Bukhari: Vol. 7. Book 72, hadith 742.
39
When does the day start for the Muslim? We know that the
month changes with maghrib because it is the time the
crescent is visible and it has been so for long. If you ask the
Muslims about the matter, they will tell you that the day
changes at maghrib. But when does the day end and
another day begins? Take for example today is Friday; does
the day change to Saturday at maghrib? Or do we follow
the Gregorian calendar concerning the changes in days? Or
does the day start at fajr (morning) and ends at night? Those
are questions which a Muslim must ask himself in order to
understand and determine the lunar calendar system.
When does fast start?
I think that there are no differences among Muslims

concerning the start of fast, for according to the Quran, it
starts when the white thread of the day is visible at the
horizon. Let us see what the Quran says:
It has been made permissible
for you the night preceding
fasting to go to your wives
[for sexual relations]. They
are clothing for you and you
are clothing for them. Allah
knows that you used to
deceive yourselves, so He
accepted your repentance
and forgave you. So now,
have relations with them and
seek that which Allah has
decreed for you. And eat and
drink until the white thread
of dawn becomes distinct to
40
you from the black thread [of

night]. Then complete the
fast until the night. 79
The black and the white thread refer to the white and black
thread that appears at the horizon. This is very clear. We
note also that the word night is mentioned in the verse two
times, but translators have preferred to translate the second
one by sunset. In many places in the Quran, the word
layl is mentioned and each time, they translate it by
night. Night means when it is dark and not when the sun
sets.
When does fast end?
This is a major problem. If you ask any Muslim: At what time

to you break fast? No doubt, he will say: Maghrib. Is it
really maghrib? If we refer to the verse mentioned above,
we note that the word layl is mentioned as the time of
breaking the fast.
Why do translators of the Quran translate the first layl by

night and the second by sunset (maghrib)? Is it because
hadiths have said that the fast must be broken at sunset?
Let us see a few variations as to how the translators
translated the word layl in the Quran:
Abdel Haleem
Then fast until nightfall.
Abdul Majid Daryabadi
Thereafter complete the fast till

night fall.
Ahmed Ali
Then fast until the night falls.
41
Ahmed Raza Khan (Barelvi)
Then complete the fasts till

coming of night.
Aisha Bewley
Then fulfil the fast until the night

appears.
Ali Quli Qarai
Then complete the fast until

nightfall.
Ali nal
Then observe the fast until night

sets in.
Al-Muntakhab
And thenceforth you fast until

darkness prevails at the close of
daylight.
Amatul Rahman Omar
Then complete
nightfall.
Arthur John Arberry
Then complete the fast unto the

night.
Bijan Moeinian
Then start fasting [and abstain

from eating, drinking, sex inhaling
heavy particles such as smoking]
until the night fall.
Bilal Muhammad (2013 Edition)
Then complete your fast when the

night appears.
Dr. Kamal Omar
Then complete the fasts till it is

night (and the sun is no more
visible).
Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar
Then complete the fast till the

night. Again, fulfill the formal
fasting until night.
42
the
fast
till
Dr. Mohammad Tahir-ul-Qadri
Then complete the fast till dusk.
Dr. Munir Munshey
Thereafter, complete the fast till

nightfall.
Edward Henry Palmer
Then fulfil the fast until the night.
Faridul Haque
Then complete
nightfall.
Farook Malik
Then complete your fast till

nightfall.
George Sale
Then keep the fast until night.
Hasan Al-Fatih Qaribullah
Then resume the fast till nightfall.
John Medows Rodwell
Then fast strictly till night.
M. M. Pickthall
Then strictly observe the fast till

nightfall.
Maududi
Then (abstain from all these things

and) complete your fast till nightfall.
Maulana Muhammad Ali
Then complete
nightfall.
Mir Aneesuddin

night.
Mohammad Shafi
Then, fast till night.
Muhammad Ahmed Samira
Then complete the fasting to the

night.
Muhammad Asad
And then resume fasting until
43
the
the
fast
fast
till
till
nightfall.
Muhammad Mahmoud Ghali
Thereafter complete (Literally:

perfect) the fast to the night.
Muhammad Sarwar
Complete your fast, starting from

dawn to dusk.
Muhammad Taqi Usmani
Then complete the fast up to the

night.
Muhsin Khan & Muhammad alHilali
Then complete your Saum (fast)

till the nightfall.
N J Dawood (draft)
Then resume the fast till nightfall.
Rashad Khalifa
Then, you shall fast until sunset.
Sayyed Abbas Sadr-Ameli
Then complete
nightfall.
Shabbir Ahmed
Then you shall be in Abstinence

until night begins to fall.
Shakir
Then complete the fast till night.
Sher Ali
Then complete
nightfall.
Syed Vickar Ahamed
Then complete your fast till the

night appears.
T.B.Irving

nightfall.
Talal A. Itani (new translation)

nightfall.
The Monotheist Group (2013
Then you shall complete the fast
44
the
the
fast
fast
till
till
Edition)
Umm
Muhammad
International)
until night.
(Sahih
Then complete the fast until the

sunset.
Wahiduddin Khan
Then resume
nightfall.
Word by Word

night.
Yusuf Ali
Then complete your fast till the

night appears.
Summary:
the
fast
until
From the above verse, we have the following translations:

1. it is night
2. starting from dawn to dusk

3. till coming of night
4. till dusk
5. till night fall

6. till night
7. till nightfall
8. till the night appears

9. till the nightfall
10. to the night
11. until darkness prevails at the close of daylight

12. until night begins to fall
13. until night sets in
45
14. until night
15. until nightfall

16. until sunset
17. until the night appears

18. until the night fall
19. until the night
20. until the sunset

21. unto the night
22. up to the night
23. when the night appears
We notice that some translators translated the word layl in

the second part of the verse by sunset. Others translated by
dusk or nightfall. The reason why we quoted these
translations is to make you realize how the translators of the
Quran differ greatly in their translations.
Now we will see the hadiths that say it is

sunset time:
The hadiths which state that the fast must be broken at

sunset will be mentioned. According to these hadiths, the
month changes at sunset so do the fast. Did the Prophet have
the right to change the meaning of a word in the Quran? Did
he have the right to change layl into maghrib?
crescent and give up fasting
46
on seeing the crescent and if

the sky is overcast (and you
cannot see it), complete
thirty days of Shaban. 80
Messenger
as
saying:
Observe fast on sighting it
and break (fast) on sighting
it, but if the sky is cloudy for
you, then complete the
number. 81
But nevertheless, it does not mention maghrib as the time

for giving up the fast. It is merely for the change of the month
that these hadiths have been reported and not the change of
the day. For we have seen that fast starts at daybreak and
end at night.
Narrated Umar bin alKhattab: Allahs Apostle said:
When night falls from this
side and the day vanishes
from this side and the sun
sets, then the fasting person
should break his fast. 82

47
This hadith mentions the nightfall as we have seen in many

translations of the verse. But what does nightfall mean? Is
there an indication that it means maghrib?
1 - Narrated Ibn Abi Aufa:
We were in the company of
Allahs Apostle on a journey.
When the sun has set, he
said to some people: O you
so-and-so! Get down and
mix powdered barley with
water for me. The man said:
If we entered the night? O
Allahs Apostle. The Prophet
again said to him: Get down
and mix powdered barley
with water for me. The man
again said: O Allahs Apostle!
There is still daylight? The
Prophet said to him (for the
third time): Get down and
water for me. The man
dismounted and mixed
powdered barley with water
for him. The Prophet drank it
and then beckoned with his
hand (towards the East) and

.

.
.

48
said: When you see the

night falling from this side,
then a fasting person should
break his fast.83
2 - Narrated Ibn Abi Aufa:
We were in the company of
Allahs Messenger on a
journey. He said to a man:
Get
down
and
mix
for me. The man said: The
sun (has not set yet), O
Allahs Messenger! The
Prophet again said to him:
Get
down
and
mix
for me. The man again said:
O Allahs Messenger! The
sun! The Prophet said to him
(for the third time): Get
down and mix powdered
barley with water for me.
The man dismounted and
mixed powdered barley with
water for him. The Prophet
drank it and then beckoned
with his hand (towards the
East) and said: When you
see the night falling from
this side, then a fasting
person should break his

.
.

49
fast. 84
3 - Narrated Abdullah bin
Abi Aufa: We were traveling
with Allahs Messenger and
he was fasting, and when the
sun set, he said to
(someone): Get down and
water for us. He replied: O
Allahs Messenger! (Will you
wait) till it is evening? The
Prophet again said: Get
barley with water for us. He
replied:
O
Allahs
Messenger! It is still
daytime? The Prophet said
again: Get down and mix
for us. So, he got down and
carried out that order. The
Prophet then said: When
you see night falling from
this side, the fasting person
should break his fast and he
beckoned with his finger
towards the east. 85
4 - Narrated Ibn Abi Aufa: I
was with the Prophet on a
journey, and he observed
50
the fast till evening. The

Prophet said to a man: Get
barley with water for me.
He replied: Will you wait till
it is evening? The Prophet
said: Get down and mix
for me; when you see night
falling from this side, the
fasting person should break
his fast. 86
5 - Narrated Abdullah bin
Abi Aufa: We went along
with the Messenger of Allah
while he was fasting. When
the sun set, he said to Bilal:
Bilal! Come down and
prepare barley beverage for
us. He said: Messenger of
Allah! Would that you
waited for the evening? He
said: Come down and
prepare barley beverage for
us. He said: Messenger of
Allah! The day still remains
on you. He said: Come down
and prepare barley drink for
us. So he came down and
prepared barley drink. The
Messenger of Allah drank it

.
.

51
and said: When you see that

the night approaches from
this side, he who fasts has
reached the time to break it
and he pointed to the east
with his finger.87
.

.
If we analyze these 5 hadiths, we will see many differences

despite the fact that the narrator is only Abdullah ibn Abi
Aufa. We will point out the major differences which are
related to fasting and the time of breaking it.
In hadith 1, it is said that the sun has set, but the man (who
was instructed by the Prophet to prepare barley with water)
insisted on waiting for the night or evening and that it was
still daylight. But the Prophet insisted on the preparation of
barley and water. If the sun has already set, this implies that
the fast was not broken immediately after, for the man has
to prepare the barley and water.
In other hadiths, the Prophet recommends to hasten the
breaking of the fast as it is beneficial:
Narrated Sahl bin Sad:
Allahs Messenger said: The
people will remain on the
right path as long as they
hasten the breaking of the
fast. 88
Abu Atiyah reported: I and
87. Sunan Abu Dawud: Book 13, hadith 2345. The hadith has been
declared as sahih by Al-albani.
88. Sahih al-Bukhari: Vol. 3, Book 31, hadith 178, Sahih Muslim: Book 6,
hadith 2417.
52
Masruq went to Aisha and

said to her: Mother of the
Believers! There are two
persons
among
the
companions of Muhammad
one among whom hastens in
breaking the fast and in
observing prayer, and the
other delays breaking the
fast and delays observing
prayer. She said: Who
among the two hastens in
breaking fast and observing
prayers? We said: It is
Abdullah i.e. son of Masud.
Whereupon she said: This is
how the Messenger of Allah
did. Abu Kuraib added: The
second one was Abu Musa.89

.

.

The word
is used in this hadith and it means:
entering upon the evening.
In hadith 2, the same man (unknown) was ordered to

prepare barley with water. The sunset is not mentioned and
that is why the man said the sun! Did he mean that the sun
was still visible and that it was not set yet? Or did he mean
that it is daylight? It seems more obvious that he meant the
sun had not set!
53
In hadith 3, the sun had set but the man said It is daylight!
Did he mean that it is too bright after sunset to break the
fast? Did they have to wait until it is dark?
In hadith 4, it is stated that the Prophet observed the fast till
evening. What does this mean? The man said Will you wait
till evening? Is evening equal to sunset?
In hadith 5, the man who prepared barley and water is

named Bilal. It is again a question of the sunset but Bilal said
Would that you waited for the evening The day still
remains on you yet the sun had already set! Does it mean
that when it was daylight, the fast should not be broken?
Anyway, whether it was a man or Bilal, they all insisted on

the evening or night to break the fast, for I am sure they
were aware of the verse stating that the fast must be broken
at night (layl). But unfortunately the Prophet insisted on the
preparation of barley and water.
Hence, this hadith is not an authority for those who say that
iftaar is at sunset.
Furthermore, we have other hadith of the companions which
clarify this issue:
Yahya related to me from Malik from Ibn Shihab from

Humayd ibn Abd ar-Rahman that Umar ibn al-Khattab and
Uthman ibn Affan would pray maghrib when they saw the
night darkening, before they broke their fast, and that was
during Ramadan. (Muatta: 18/8)
54
Did not Umar and Uthman know about the practice of the
Prophet of breaking fast at sunset? How can they disobey the
Prophet by breaking the fast after the prayer (maghrib)? The
hadith specify that this happened in Ramadan, then how can
they do such thing? Are they disobedient to the Prophet? Did
not the Muatta of Malik come before the other books of
hadith? Was his era nearer to the Prophet than al-Bukhari
and others?
We have also hadiths which state that the Prophet broke his
fast with dates or water.
Anas bin Malik narrated: The
Messenger of Allah would
break the fast with fresh
dates before performing
prayer. If there were no
fresh dates then (he would
break the fast) with dried
dates, and if there were no
dried dates then he would
take a few sips of water. 90
Sunni v/s Shiah
Who are the Sunnis? Who are the Shiahs?
Since long, we have been calling ourselves Sunnis because

we believe that we are the people of Sunnah. But who are we
really? Because we are not Shiahs does it mean that we are
Sunnis or vice versa! As from when did the Sunni sect take
its origin? Did the Prophet called us Sunnis? Is it a sect? Is
90. Jami at-Tirmithi: Book 8, hadith 15.
55
not the Sunni sect divided into several more other subsects?
We have today the major following sects which called
themselves Sunnis:
1. Sunni Hanafi.
2. Sunni Shafii.
3. Sunni Hanbali.
4. Sunni Maliki.
5. Ahle-Sunnah Wal Jamaat (Bareylwi).

6. Sunni Salafi.
7. Ahle Bayt Salafi

8. Sunni Ahmadi.
9. Sunni Wahhabis.
10. Sunni Suffis.
11. Sunni Ahle Hadith.
12. Sunni Tableegh Jamaat.
These are major sects found among Muslims. There are sects
which are sub-divided. So to which Sunni sect(s) do you
belong? Or do all the people belong to the same Sunnis
sect? Despite that there are differences between each and
every sect, to which one do you belong? These sects are
fighting each other on account of their faith and beliefs? So
to which sect do you belong? And how do you claim that
yours is the right one?
56
Verily, those who divide their religion and break up into sects
(all kinds of religious sects), you have no concern in them in
the least. Their affair is only with Allah, Who then will tell
them what they used to do. (6/159)
But they (men) have broken their religion among them into
sects, each group rejoicing in what is with it (as its
beliefs). (23/53)
Of those who split up their religion and became sects, each

sect rejoicing in that which is with it. (30/32)
Likewise, the Shiahs are divided into sects as follows:
1. The twelver (twelve imams or caliphs).
2. The Ismailism.
3. The Zaydiyyah.
4. The Ansars etc
The Shiahs called themselves Shiah because they are not

Sunnis?
In the case of breaking the fast at night, many Muslims

pretend that this is a practice of Shiah for they break their
57
fast at this time. In fact some Shiahs do break their fast at

night. But does it mean that all those who break their fast at
the same time are Shiahs? So are you accusing us of Shiah
because we are referring to the Quran in this matter? Does
the word layl in the Quran mean maghrib? Are the
Shiahs following the Quran and the Sunnis are not? Does
the word layl in the quranic verse mean night for the
Shiah and maghrib for the Sunnis?
Conclusions:
After exposing all these verses of the Quran and these

hadiths related to the calendar and breaking of the fast, we
hope that it is clear that the breaking of the fast happens on
the entering of the night, when darkness has appeared and
not at maghrib as believed by the majority of Muslims in
the world.
Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Universes.
58
Appendix Night in the Quran

And [recall] when We made
an appointment with Musa
for forty nights. 91
Has Allah appointed with Musa forty maghrib?

When did the night begin? With maghrib
Indeed, in the creation of the
heavens and earth, and the
alternation of the night and
the day... 92
Does the night in this verse mean maghrib?
So to say, Allah alters the maghrib, not the night?

It has been made permissible
for you the night preceding
fasting to go to your wives
[for sexual relations]. And
eat and drink until the white
thread of dawn becomes
distinct to you from the
night. 93
Do you approach your wife after maghrib?

59
Does the word layl in the second part of the verse mean
maghrib?
What is the meaning of ilaa al-layl?
Does it mean maghrib because the word ilaa is used with

the night?
Does the word ilaa change night into maghrib?
If you choose the hadiths mentioned to indicate maghrib as

the time of breaking the fast, then do you give priority to the
hadith over the Quran? Then who says that hadiths explain
the Quran? and how??
Dont you think that instead of explaining, they are

contradicting the verse, because the Quran says night and
the hadith says maghrib?
In what dictionary does the word night mean maghrib?
Remember that the day changes at midnight and not at

sunset. Do you have a proof that the day changes at
maghrib?
Where is the term maghrib mentioned in the Quran?
Those who spend their
wealth by night and by day,
secretly and publicly - they
will have their reward with
their Lord. 94
Does night in this verse mean maghrib?
60
Is it a different night as compared to the night mentioned

with regards to the breaking of the fast?
You cause the night to enter
the day 95
Allah causes the maghrib to enter the day?

When does the day end? With maghrib?
If so, then we say that you are taking iftaar before sehri
because the day changes with sunset? Do you agree? Taking
iftaar first and then sehri!?
They are not [all] the same;
among the People of the
Scripture is a community
standing [in obedience],
reciting the verses of Allah
during periods of the night
and prostrating [in prayer]. 96
What are periods of the night? Are they periods of

maghrib?
Indeed, in the creation of the
heavens and the earth and
the alternation of the night
and the day are signs for
those of understanding. 97
95. Sourah 3, ali-Imran, verse 27.

61
And to Him belongs that

which reposes by night and
by day, and He is the
Hearing, the Knowing. 98
Does everything belong to Him at maghrib and the day?

And it is He who takes your
souls by night and knows
what you have committed by
day. 99
He takes our soul at maghrib? Do you sleep at maghrib?

So when the night covered
him, he saw a star. He said,
This is my lord. But when it
set, he said, I like not those
that disappear. 100
[He is] the cleaver of
daybreak and has made the
night for rest and the sun
and moon for calculation.
That is the determination of
the Exalted in Might, the
Knowing. 101
He has made the night for rest. Do you rest at maghrib?

98. Sourah 6, al-Anam, verse 13.
99. Ibid, verse 60.
62
He covers the night with the

day, chasing it rapidly. 102
When the day ends? If you say maghrib, then Allah covers
the day with maghrib?
And
We
made
an
appointment with Musa for
thirty nights and perfected
them by [the addition of]
ten; so the term of his Lord
was completed as forty
nights. 103
Did Allah make appointment during forty maghribs?

Indeed, in the alternation of
the night and the day and
[in] what Allah has created in
the heavens and the earth
are signs for a people who
fear Allah. 104
There comes to it Our

command by night or by
day.105
102. Sourah 7, al-Araf, verse 54.

104. Sourah 10, Yunus, verse 6.
63
They will have from Allah no

protector. It will be as if their
faces are covered with pieces
of the night - so dark [are
they].106
Why does Allah mention darkness after layl?
It is He who made for you the
night to rest therein. 107
Do you rest at maghrib time?

So set out with your family
during a portion of the night
and let not any among you
look back - except your wife;
indeed, she will be struck by
that which strikes them.
Indeed, their appointment is
[for] the morning. Is not the
morning near? 108
And establish prayer at the
two ends of the day and at
the approach of the night.
Indeed, good deeds do away
with misdeeds. That is a
108. Sourah 11, Hud, verse 81.
64
reminder for
remember. 109
those
who
The approach of the night means what? Does it mean

maghrib? Why then has he mentioned the two ends of the
day? Then He mentioned approach of the night?
He causes the night to cover
the day. Indeed in that are
signs for a people who give
thought. 110
It is the same [to Him]

concerning you whether one
conceals [his] speech or one
publicizes it and whether one
is hidden by night or
conspicuous [among others]
by day.111
Can you hide at maghrib? Or you will be seen because at

maghrib there is still daylight?
And He subjected for you the
sun
and
the
moon,
continuous [in orbit], and
subjected for you the night

110. Sourah 13, ar-Rad, verse 3.
65
and the day. 112

What is subjected to us? The day and maghrib?
So set out with your family
during a portion of the night
and follow behind them and
let not anyone among you
look back and continue on to
where you are commanded.
113
Portion of the night means portion of maghrib?

And He has subjected for you
the night and day and the
sun and moon, and the stars
are subjected by His
command. Indeed in that are
signs for a people who
reason. 114
Exalted is He who took His

Servant by night from alMasjid al-Haram to al-Masjid
al- Aqsa, whose surroundings
We have blessed, to show
him of Our signs. Indeed, He
112. Sourah 14, Ibrahim, verse 33.
113. Sourah 15, al-Hijr, verse 65.
114. Sourah 16, an-Nahl, verse 12.
66
is the Hearing, the Seeing. 115
Did the Prophet perform Israa and Miraj at maghrib?

And We have made the night
and day two signs. 116
Establish prayer at the

decline of the sun [from its
meridian] until the darkness
of the night and [also] the
Quran of dawn. Indeed, the
recitation of dawn is ever
witnessed. 117
Is Allah mentioning the time of night prayer and not that of

maghrib? Why does he mention asaq al-layl? Does it
mean that without mentioning asaq, it means maghrib?
And from the night, pray
with
it
as
additional
[worship] for you; it is
expected that your Lord will
resurrect you to a praised
station. 118
What prayer is it questioned here? Is it maghrib prayer?

115. Sourah 17, al-Isra, verse 1.
67
He said, Your sign is that you

will not speak to the people
for three nights, [being]
sound. 119
So be patient over what they

say and exalt [Allah] with
praise of your Lord before
the rising of the sun and
before its setting; and during
periods of the night [exalt
Him] and at the ends of the
day, that you may be
satisfied. 120
Here it is very clear that night means when it is dark, for Allah
says: rising of the sun and before its settings then He adds
night? Is it not clear?
They exalt [Him] night and
day [and] do not slacken. 121
And it is He who created the

night and the day and the
sun and the moon; all
[heavenly bodies] in an orbit
are swimming. 122
119. Sourah 19, Mariam, verse 10.
120. Sourah 20, Ta Ha, verse 130.
121. Sourah 21, al-Anbiya, verse 20.
68
Say, Who can protect you at

night or by day from the
Most Merciful? But they are,
from the remembrance of
their Lord, turning away. 123
That is because Allah causes
the night to enter the day
and causes the day to enter
the night and because Allah
is Hearing and Seeing. 124
Allah causes the day to enter the night and not maghrib.
And it is He who gives life
and causes death, and His is
the alternation of the night
and the day. Then will you
not reason? 125
Allah alternates the night
and the day. 126
And it is He who has made

the night for you as clothing
and sleep [a means for] rest
124. Sourah 22, al-Hajj, verse 61.
125. Sourah 23, al-Muminun, verse 80.
126. Sourah 24, an-Nur, verse 44.
69
and has made the day a

resurrection. 127
Did Allah say that at maghrib you sleep and rest?
And it is He who has made
the night and the day in
succession
for
whoever
desires to remember or
desires gratitude. 128
Do they not see that We

made the night that they
may rest therein and the day
giving sight? 129
Do you not see that night is the time for rest and not the
maghrib?
And out of His mercy He
made for you the night and
the day that you may rest
therein and seek from His
bounty and [that] perhaps
you will be grateful. 130
Is maghrib the time to rest?

127. Sourah 25, al-Furqan, verse 47.
129. Sourah 27, an-Naml, verse 86.
130. Sourah 28, al-Qasass, verse 73.
70
And of His signs is your sleep

by night and day and your
seeking of His bounty. 131
Do you sleep at maghrib?
Do you not see that Allah

causes the night to enter the
day and causes the day to
enter the night 132
And We determined between
them the [distances of]
journey, [saying], Travel
between them by night or
day in safety. 133
So brothers and sisters! Reflect on the verses of the Quran

and stop believing in conjectures. Dont change the term
night from the Quran into maghrib by hadiths! Dont do
like those who changed the meaning of the Quran and falsify
it.
131. Sourah 30, ar-Rum, verse 23.

132. Sourah 31, Luqman, verse 29.
133. Sourah 34, Sabaa, verse 18.
71
Fast of Ramadan 1437

07 June - 05 July 2016 (29 days)
Date
Sehri
Iftar
1/07 June
05.29
18.53
2/08June
05.29
18.53
3/09 June
05.30
4/10 June
05.30
18.54
16/22
June
Sehri
Iftar
05.33
18.56
17/23June
18/24
June
19/25
June
20/26
June
21/27
June
22/28
June
23/29
June
24/30
June
05.33
18.56
05.33
18.56
5/11 June
05.30
18.54
05.34
18.57
6/12 June
05.30
7/13 June
05.31
18.54
05.34
18.57
8/14 June
05.31
18.54
05.34
18.58
9/15 June
10/16.
June
11/17
June
12/18
June
13/19
June
14/20
June
15/21
June
05.31
18.54
18.55
05.34
25/1 July
05.34
18.58
05.32
18.55
26/2 July
05.35
18.58
05.32
18.55
27/3 July
05.35
18.59
18.59
05.31
05.32
05.32
05.33
Phases of the moon:

New Moon
Visibility
1st day of the month
18.54
18.54
Date
05.34
05.34
18.55
28/4 July
05.35
18.55
29/5 July
05.35
18.56
Ramadan
05 June
06 June
07 June
72
@ 06h59
Chawwaal
04 July
05 July
06 July
18.57
18.57
18.58
18.59
@ 15h01
73

The Lunar Calendar and The Time of Breaking The Fast

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THE LUNAR CALENDAR

BREAKING THE FAST

Revised edition 1437 AH: 2016 AC

Calendar and months in the Quran and hadiths................. 5

He created the crescent and the moon ............................... 30

Calendar and months in

Praise be to Allah Lord of the Worlds

Let there be no transgression except against polytheists

Since a very long time, we have been adopting the islamic

In this booklet, we are trying to explain these issues in the

treats the issue of breaking the fast in a bit different way.

Year in the Quran:

In the verse 36 of Sourah 9, we note that Allah did not

(singular and plural) and

THE WORD YEAR:

(singular and dual),

And those who are taken in

Sourah 2, al-Baqarah, verse 240.

Do they not see that they are

Then will come after that a

The word Years:

One of them wishes that he

Mothers may breastfeed

Ibid, verse 126.

[Allah] said: Then indeed, it is

It is He who made the sun a

and made the sign of the day

He [Allah] will say: How long

Sourah 17, al-Isra, verse 12.

And We certainly sent Nuh to

His mother carried him, in

Sourah 26, ash-Shuara, verse 18.

will ascend to Him in a Day,

The word year in the hadiths:

In Sahih al-Bukhari only, we find 470+ occurrences of the

27. Sourah 32, as-Sajdah, verse 5.

Months in the Quran:

We know and agree that in a year, there are 12 months. We

30. Sourah 9, at-Tawbah, verse 36.

Number of months in hadiths:

So the four months are: Dhul-Qadah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram

Other months in the Quran:

Besides the four sacred months as mentioned, the Quran

The month of Ramadan in

Hajj is [during] well-known

32. Sourah 2, al-Baqarah, verse 185.

Divorce and separation:

Iddah (moratorium for a woman in case of

And those of your women as

The sacred month is known as haram in the Quran

Allah has made the Kabah,

Sulaiman and the month:

The name of months in the Quran:

We have seen that the word haram is used for sacred

Sacred months in hadith:

The term sacred months is mentioned in the seven books

41. Ibid, verse 97.

Narrated Abu Bakrah: The

Names of other months in hadiths:

In hadiths, we find the following: Muharram, Safar, Jumada,

44. Sahih al-Bukhari: Vol. 4, Book 54, hadith 419.

Abu Huraira reported Allahs

Ashura is also mentioned as it is in the sacred month. Several